WHITE PLAINS, NY— Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Vinos de los Herederos del Marques de Riscal signed a management agreement for the Hotel Marques de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Elciego, Alava, located in the heart of the Rioja wine region, south of Bilbao, Spain. Scheduled to open at the end of 2005, the hotel will be developed within the Marques de Riscal wine complex and designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Frank O. Gehry. The project will be Gehrys second in Spain. In 1997 he created the landmark Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, facilitating an urban revival in that city. Gehry is known as one of the most important living architects in the world, with other significant projects including the cutting edge “Experience the Music” project in Seattle, the Gehry House in Santa Monica and the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The Marques de Riscal Hotel is expected to be the most avant-garde member of Starwoods Luxury Collection. Hotel guests will be able to select from a diverse array of suites and rooms designed by Gehry. The hotel will also feature a wellness center, a swimming pool, a large banquet hall converted from an ancient cellar, and a signature restaurant. In addition, hotel guests will also have access to the Marques de Riscal vineyards, the wine museum and the state-of-the-art process and elaboration center.
